Amalgamator



May 19, 1931.

l.. D. s'rEPHENsoN 1,805,930

AMALGAMATOR Filed April 13, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 19, 1931. v L. D. sTEPHENsoN 1,805,930

AMALGAMATOR Filed April 13, 192e 2 sheets-sneer 2 WE/WOR.

L. D.' sTEPHEnsorf.

y machine which may khe easily charged and Patented May 191931 g 1,805,930

.UN'TEE I STATES PAT-Qta? FF'ICE vLEONARD n. s'rEPHiiiNso'N, Lor'n.si-inann,oiesofoiv j AMALGAMATOR 1 Appiieatiyoaaiea Aprile' 13, 19aa`sei-iai Nojzeavs. Y o My invention Vrelates to amalgamators for facilitate the restarting of the machine after Y recovering gold and silver from mill or placer a clean-up. 1-

` tailings and the likelwherein charges of slimes 'A further object is to provide an improved are circulated from a tank through a casing y'machine which maybe readily adjusted for 5 and agitated with mercury held suspendedin the treatment'of various kinds of materials to 55 the circulating" slimes, the slimes being revary the circulation and agitation of the ma? turned to the tank over amalgamating plates, terial as required. u l l Y and vsuitable reagents being'introduced for 'Slll further Object is to provide an imcleansing the metals and accelerating the acproved machine of Simple and eiicient conu l0 tion of the memory thereon when necessary, struction which -can be manufactured and Y 60 The primary Object of my invention is to operatedeconomically andin Whichno part provide an improved method-and machine for 1S SUbJGCGd t0 heavy 'Weill' neCeSSolttsltloDg 1'8- amalgamatinggold and silver. P311 0I' fepllmeltf .Y v

Another very important object is to pro- I aCC01T1P11-Slf1 JUhfS@ Mld. 0th?? OlOJeCS by v 15 Vido an improved maohno for treating gold means of the improved device disolosed'in the.` 65 f and silver hearing slimes and the like to obdlWlUgS OFII11-I1g ,apart Ofthe present taptain an @fHCQnt and @subsi-Jan.. pllCZtt/IOII Wl'lG/Iedll 11k@ Clila/l/QIS 0f reference tially Complete recovery ,c f y t u are used to designate similar parts through- A further object vis to provide an improved out. the SPQCICSLUOD 'and dlLWlIlgS, and in machine which will increase the efficiency Whlfjh* p n l 5 4 Y and the pofoontago of reoOVoI-y p Y Fig. l is a vertical mid-section of. my 1m- Another object is to provide an improved Prolfed mtalgamato o machine whereby tailingsl and sli-mes fromv F 1g' 2 1S 9j Plan 'VleW 0f the amalgamam ores of various characters 'mav be effectively "POFODS betng broken may 111 SUCCGSSIV@ E treatedwvith reagent-s suited, to render the Planes .to'dlsclose the COHSTUCOH and al" 75 gold or silver content readilyfamenable to rangemept 0f lm ts; the action. of mercury andv to insure an. inti- ,'F 1g' 3 1S i* hrlzoltal SBCIOD hak?? uPQn'the mate association of mercury with every par-` 1m@ 3*3 0l F13 l 1n the dlrectlonymdlfated vticle of precious metal whereby asubstantial! and, 1 f y 3') VlV Complete recoveri7 may be obtained. Flgf ,1S a broken plan VleWYOf the aeratmg 80 connec ion.,

A further object is to'provide an improved machine Wherebythe materiali to be, treated` may be subje'cted'to a maxi-mum exposure to mercuryl Witlra minimum' expenditure of power and time.- v i, p ,y A further object isto provide an improved I Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 is used to designate in general atank or receiver 'arranged to receive a charge of tailings, slimes', or yother material to be subjected Ato '85 treatment l, for removing precious metalsV therefrom 'by amalgamation.'v The tank kl is provided with an inlet 2, preferably arranged at an angle and openin'ginto a side of the tank .Y

emptied, and in which the'material to lie Q treatedmay be readilyrthinned vvith Water to thekvdesled Copslstfincy Y hopperorfother device, not shown, from *Anpthir Object tl'sto; provlde-an lmproved Whicha measured chargefof slimes or the machine whereby-Jammer bentfoduedt@ ,mais Claimed into the ank.. At` Outlet, amate the PTOCl-.UC belng @Rated connection 3 provided With a's'uitahle valve 4 l, saidinlet being lconnected to a suitable 90 c.

45 Another Object' ist@ Provide-'an mlJIOVed' is coiinectedinto the tank at a pointy slightly '95 Y y machine Which Will minimize loss-of mercury t ovotho bottom tho'foof, A Water oonnooand amalgam. tion 6 'is connected into the inlet 2 and ar- A further object is to providean improved rangedftoy deliver Water into said inlet While machine which Will facilitate the collecting a charge is being' delivered into the tank tok re*- 50 of mercury and amalgamtherefrom,andzalso duce said charge to a desired consistency. 100

The bottom of the tank is constructed to ineline from all directions to the center of the bottom to form a well to receive a suitable charge of mercury 7.

A casing designated in general b-y the numeral 8 is mounted within the tank 1. rl`he casing 8 rests upon a plurality of supporting lugs 9 formed within the bottom of the tank 1, the vlower edges of the casing being preferably curved slightly inwardly and being supported directly over the mercury well and slightly above the upper surface of the mercury 7. The upper end of the casing extends above the top of the tank 1 and is provided with a reduced portion 11. IThe casing is held in axial relation to the tank by means of a plurality of adjusting screws 12 threaded lthrough the sides of the tank 1 and engaging j the sides of the casing whereby the casing may be adjusted and held in true axial position.

An amalgamating tray 14 is secured upon 4the top of the tank 1. The tray 14 is preferably constructed with a downwardly disposed `flange 16 fitting around the upper end of the tank and held in engagement therewith by a plurality of screws or other securing members 17. The bottom of the tray slopes from all directions toward a central opening through lwhichmthe upperreduced end of the casing 8 extends, the edges of the opening be- I ing spaced from the casing to provide apassage from the tray into the top of the tank. The tray is made of relatively wide diameter Hand the outer edge is `provided with an upwardly disposed flange 13. The bottom of the tray is lined with amalgamating 'plates 19, preferably formed in sectors fitted neatly into `the bottom of the tray.k The plates 19 are surfaced with mercury in the well known manner and are constructed and'matched so as to provide an evenly sloping surface over which the slimes may flow back into the tank as hereinafter more fully explained.

An amalgamating member designated in generalk by the numeral 21 is mounted upon the top of the casing 8. The member 21 consists preferably of a. body having a downwardly disposed flange 22 forming a seat arranged to rest upon the top of the casing 8, said body extending outwardly and sloping downwardly toward the outer ianged edge of the tray 14. The member 21 is provided upon its upper surface with amalgamating plates 23 surfaced with merlcury -in the ordinary manner and preferably constructed as sectorsiitted neatly together and providing an outwardly draining surface. The outer edge of the member 21 is provided `with a ,cupped edge 24 arranged to retain a supply ofmercury 26, the extreme outer edge being spaced from the bottom and vretaining rim, and a plurality of apertures 33are formed at regular intervals over substantially the entire area of the bottom of the member 27.. I

A shaft 34 is mounted axially within the casing 8,` the 'lower end resting upon the pointed end of a plug 36 threaded into the bottom of the tank 1 and forming a take-up bearing for said lower end of the shaft. The upper end of the shaft is engaged by a relatively long bearing 37 formed upon a spider 38, the legs of which vextend radially to points above the edges of the tray 14 above which the spider is secured and supported .by means of bolts 39 extending through the ends of the legs ofthe spider and through openings formed in an outwardly disposed flange 41 formed around the top of the flange 18, tubular spacers 42 being mounted upon the bolts between the spider and the flange 41. The shaft 34 is provided with a bevel vgear 43 meshing with a driving gear 44 secured upon `a shaft 46 driven in any suitable manner from a sourceof power, not shown.

vThe thrust upon the shaft 34 is carriedby a collar 47 secured upon the shaft immediately above the bearing 37.

The shaft 34 is kprovided with a long keyway 48. An impeller 49 is keyed onto the lower end of the shaft at a'point slightly above the lower edge of the casing 8, said impeller being provided with upwardly faced impeller blades 49. An agitator 51 is keyed onto the shaft 34 at a point between the impeller 49 and the top of the casing 8, said yagitator preferably consisting of a hub :proyided with a'pair of diametrically opposite paddles 51 having substantially vertical `paddle surfaces. The long key-way 43 permits both the impeller and the agitator to be adjusted vertically along'the shaft.

A mani-fold 52 is mounted in any ,suitable manner just below thefbottom of the tank 1, 3'

saidmanifold being provided with a plurality of tubular members 53 extending upwardly into the tank and having their inner ends' curved to open downwardly substantially as shown. The manifold is connected Yto a source Vof air pressure, not shown, in any convenient manner, whereby air may beintro'duced into the bottom of the tank if desired.`

In operation, my improved amalgamator is "5' mounted independently, y'or in' a battery with a a plurality of machines, preferably by means of shiftable timbers`54 Supporting the tank 1 by means of supporting lugs or flanges 56 formed on the outer surface of the tank.. In

starting the machine, the plates '19 and 28areV freshly surfaced) with vmercuryirrthe well .Y known manner, and -a supply of mercury 1s placed in the well formed at the bottom .of the tank 1 and in the cupped/edge 24. A 'charge vof finely groundpulp or vslimes such as mill or'placer tailings, or other gold or silver bearing material, is introduced through thelinlet 2 intoV the tank.` Such pulp is accompanied with sufhcient water to run freely through the inlet 2, andsuficient additional Water is in- .troduced with said pulp or slimes through the water connection 6 to reduce the consistency to the desired degree.. The tank is filled to, approximately the level indicated by` the heavy dotted line X. -Power is -then applied to rotate the shaft 34 and thereby actuate the impeller 49 and the agitator 51, the shaft being started either' while the charge is being introduced or before the pulp has time to settle from the water introduced therewith. As the .impeller is actuated a current is created upl' .wardly within the casing 8. As the rotation the level of of the impeller is continued rapidly, the slimes are forced upwardly.through the ca'sf ing and a suction is created at the bottom of the casing, additional quantities of the slimes being drawn into the bottom of the casing and the slimes within' the casing gradually raised until the slimes overflow from the top of the casing int-o the distributing member 27, the level outside of the casing being lowered to a plane at approximatelythe level .indicated by 'the light broken line Y.

.The overiiow'mg lslimesflow outwardly over v the upper surface of the distributing member and through the apertures .38 therein i by the slimes are'caused to be circulated past themercury at 7 and 26,-and to be spreadfand flow kin a thin sheet over the amalgamat'ing plates 19 and 28, thereby exposing the slimes to a large' surface area ofmercury.' f

The suction generated bythe impeller" at the bottom 'of the-casing 8 causes small globules of the mercury at 7 to be lifted and carried upwardly with theupwardly circulating slimes. The globules are lifted toa height proportional to thespeed'of the impeller vand the distance said impeller is. positioned from the bottom of the impeller. By a proper regulation of the speed and elevation of the impeller these globules of mercury maybe lifted to a desiredelevation within theV Casing 8 without permitting anyy appreciable 4quantity ltobe carried over the top of the casing with Y the overlowingslimes, the kglobules being :held suspended inthe circulating slimesand .being whirled rapidly about the casing with the current of slimes.y yThe whirling `glob- :ules .of mercury, scatteredl throughoutfthe casing, .cause the` mercury totcome into :con-

tact with substantially every particle of the solid elements of the slimes. 'The paddles 51',

rotating with they shaft' 84, agitatethe passing streamof slimes and break up the smoothly whirling stream andscattery the globules of l mercury throughout the upper portion .of the .casing and prevent the. globules from segregating around the sides of thecasing due .to centrifugal force. The globules ofv mercury present a large surface area of mercury which is kept constantly in contact with portions of thev slimes, therebyy subjecting ksaid slimes to a substantially continuous exposure to the mercury and effecting a rapid and eficient extraction ofthe gold and silver. v

.IY-'After the charge has been circulated: for a sufficient time to insure a complete extrac- .j

tion of the precious metals, the impeller isYAY stopped and the slimes allowed to drain back to lnormal starting level upon the inner and outer sides of the casing. The Amercury suspended within the casing-settles rapidly to the bottom of the tank and unites withthel mercury in the well at 7. After the mercury Y has settled,itheoutlet valve 4 is opened and the slimes are drawn off through thel outlet 3..v After thetank has been drained, the *valveV 4 is again closed and a fresh charge of slimes introduced and treated as'above described.

vThe rapid whirling and vcontinued circulation of the slimes within. the` casing yeffectively 1 exposes all particles of the. slimes to the action of the mercury and in most cases effects substantially. `a complete lrecovery,

within a relatively short time. .In some cases, the gold or silver exists ina condition such that the amalgamation is notefticient. In the treatment of slimes in which this condition exists, a suitable reagent is introduced into the tank to cleanse or otherwise renderA the gold or silver amenableto amalgama-n tion. Thus, in treating slimes from certain types of ores,.it .is desirable, and sometimesnecessary, to add proper quantities of salt,`

copper sulphate, potash `or other reagents. 'Ihe use of such .reagents must of course kbe determined by the character-'of the particu-v lar product to betreated. VThus in some cases,

an oxidizing agent must be used, while in s others a reducing agent is necessary. In some cases a dilute; acid 1s found desirable, while 1n other cases, vas 1n the treatment of greasy yns `talc tailings and the like, alkali must be added. vIn` any case, the reagent desired is added V- directly to the contents of the tank, `the subsequent circulating and agitatin'g to which the slimes are `subjected 'causes the reagent to be rapidly `and uniformly distributed throughout the charge and each particle of vthe Yslimes will -be subjected to the action of such reagent and :rendered amenable to ama-eamation when again exposed to mer- Y cury while being circulated through the machine, thereby 'permitting a substantially completerecovery to khe made even from the most obdurate ores.

lIn-'the treatment of manykinds of products, it yhas been found that by introducing air into the circulating mixture amore rapid and efficient am-alagmation is effected. In ,treating such products, air is lintroduced through the tubular member '53 from the manifold 52. The air enters immediately below the open lower end of the ycasing' and serves to aerate the entire charge of slimes. The linner ends of the members 53 are turned downwardly to prevent mercury or `amalgam from settling into thetubular members and being lost. v j

The mercury and amalgam is remo-ved from the vwell at thebottom of the tank periodically. This is accomplished by unscrewing the plug 36 which i-'s tapped into the center of the depression at the bottom of the tank. The plugis preferably provided with a lever 58 pivotally connected thereto whereby the plug may be unscrewed and replaced. The lever is normally locked into engagement with a lug 57 upon the bottom of the tank to guard against unauthorized removal of amalgam. I/Vhen the plug is removed the mercury is drained into a suitable receptacle and subjected to the ordinary treatment for Vseparating the gold and silver. The plug is then returned and fresh mercury substituted.

A complete clean-up is made periodically. Atsueh times the bottom of the tank -is completely cleaned, and the mercury and amalgam is removed from the cupped edge 24 of the amalgamating member 2l. The amalgamating plates 19 and 23 are also removed -andscraped or otherwise treated to remove the amalgam, and resurfaced with mercury when necessary. The sector construction of the plates 19 and 23 facilitates the removal and treatment of the plates, and permits them to be removed and replaced 'by-merely raising the distributing member 27 and the amalgamating member 2l succe'ssivelyfrom the top of the casing 8 without disconnecting the power` connections. j f

While I have illustrated and `deserdeed `only the preferred embodimentwof my invention, the method and machine are of course subject t'o modification in numerous ways without -departingfrom the spirit of my invention. Itherefore ydo not wish to restrict myself to the specific form and arrangement or the precise mode of operation disclosed, but desire to avail myself of all vmodifications whichmay fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus 'described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is'-,-

1.- An amalgamator comprising a tank havin-g a mercury well 'and arranged to re- -ceiv'e a charge of slimes to be treated; a casing mounted within the tank; a power driven shaft axially disposed within the casing; an impeller adjustably mounted upon the shaft adjacent the bottom of the casing to circulate slimes upwardly through the casing, said impeller being provided with pitched impeller blades operative to lift and hold globules of mercury from the well suspended in the circulatingY slimes; and means comprising a plurality of downwardly sloping amalgamatin'g Vplates mounted around the top of the casing for returning slimes overflowing from the casing back into the tank.

2..An amalgamator 'comprising a tank having a mercury well and arranged to receive a charge of slimes to be treated; a casing mounted within the tank; a power vdriven shaft axially disposed within the casing; an

impeller adjustably mounted upon the shaft adjacent the bottom of the casing to circulate slimes upwardly through the casing, said impeller being provided with pitched impeller blades operative to lift and hold globules of mercury from the well suspended in the 'circulating slimes; mea-ns comprising a plurality of downwardly sloping amalgamating Aplates mounted around the top of the casing vfor returning slimes overflowing from the casing back into the tank; and paddles adjustably mounted upon the shaft above the impeller to agitate the slimes andV suspended mercurywithin the casing; and to interrupt the whirling motion of the slimes caused by the impeller. Y

3. An amalgam-ator comprising a slime t'ank having a mercury well and having inlet and outlet openings arranged to permit a charge 'of slimes to be treated to be introduced and withdrawn from the tank; a vcasing mounted within the tank; a shaft mounted within the casing; an impeller mounted upon the shaft adj acent the bottom of the casing andarranged to be driven by the shaft to'circulate slimes upwardly through the casing, said impeller being' arranged to lift vand hold globules of'me'rcury from the well suspended in the circulating slimes; means for agitating the slimes and Vsuspended mercury .'12

within the casing; an amalgamating member mounted upon the top of the casing; a 'distributing member mounted above the ama-lgamating member and apertured to distribute slimes 'overflowing from the casing eveni` vll() ly over said member; 'and' anamalgamating tray mounted upon the top ofthe tank and arranged toqreceive slimes from the amalga` mating member and return the 'same to the tank. f

4.*An amalgamator comprising a slime e tank having a mercury well and having. inlet and outlet openings arranged to( permit a charge of slimes to be treated to be introduced and` withdrawn from the tank; a casing mounted withinthe tank; a shaftmounted within thek casing; an impeller adjustably'v mounted upon the shaftzadjacentithe bottom of the casing and arranged to be driven by' the shaft to circulate slimes upwardly through the casing, saideimpeller being arranged to. liftand ,hold globules of mercury from, the well suspended inthe circulating,

slimes; means adjustably mounted AVupon the t 5, kIn an amalgamator, -a' tank having-la mercury well and arranged to receive a charge of slimes to be treated; a casing mounted within the tank; apower driven shaft aXially disposed within the casing;v fan vimpeller mounted upon' the shaft in spaced relation to I the mercury well, said impeller being provided with pitchedimpeller bladesr and be.-

ingaXiallyfad-justable alonglthe shaft; and an` agitator adjustably mounted upon the shaft between the impelle-rand the top of the casing, said 'agitator comprisinga :hub provided with paddle; blades vadaptedfto linterruptvthe whirling movement ofthe slimes forced upwardly through the casing by the impeller. y 1.

n 6; In Y an .amalgamator7 :a tank `having* a mercury well and arrangedto yreceive charge `of slimes to be treated aca'sing vertically ldisposedwithin vthe tank candf open at' top and bottom a .power actuated impeller mounted within the'j casing;l for. circulating, 'the :slimes upwardly; through thewcasing, -said i-mpeller being provided with pitched-blades'. operating to 'lift globules l ofmercury-from'the f-well and to holdsaid globules suspended fin the upwardly circulating slimes; an 'amalgamating tray mountedfupon the 4top of :the tank, said tray being provided with a iiangedbot tom seating upon the top of the :tankfand sloping inwardly `from all'sideszto La central .openingaround the casing and adapted to re- .turn the slimes tosaidcasing; an amalgamating memberseatednpon the'top of the casf l 'ing .and ,Y sloping downwardly y' i-,owardv the outerrim of the tray, and having a 'centrali opening, said tray and the amalgamating memberbeing provided with amalgamatingl plates removably mounted upon their upper surfaces; f `f. v f1 7. In an amalgamator, a tanklavingfa` mercury Welland arranged to receive a charge of slimes to be treated; a casing vertically disposed within the tank and open at' top and bottom; a power actuated impeller mounted within the casing for circulating the slimes upwardly .through the casing, saidim pellerbeing provided with pitchedblades op-v erating to lift globules of mercury from the` well and to'hold said globules suspended in the upwardly circulating slimes; an amal-I gamating tray mounted upon the top ofthe tank, said tray being provided with a'flanged bottom seating upon the top of thetank and sloping inwardly from all sides'to al central openingfaround the casing and adapted to re`` turn the slimes to saidcasing;'an amalgamating member seated upon the top of the casing and sloping downwardly toward the outer rim -of the tray andhaving a! central opening, said tray andv the "amalgamating member being provided with amalgamating plates removably mounted upon their upper Y i surfaces; and a distributingl member seated upon the top'of the amalgamating'member and adapted to distribute the overflow from thecasing uniformly over the amalgamating member.." C y 8. In an amalgamator; atank'having ja mercury well and arranged to receive a charge of slimes to be treated a casing vertically disl posed within 'the-tank and open at top and bottom; a power actuated'impeller mounted within the casing 'for circulatingthe slimes rvupwardly through the casing; an amalgamatingtray mounted upon the top of the tank; said traybeing provided with allangedbottom seating upon the top ofthe tank 'and sloping inwardly from all sides to a central opening around the casing and adapted to return the slimes to said casing; an amalgamating member seated 'upon the `top of the f casing and slopingdownwardly toward the `outerrim' of the tray, land having acentral opening;V said. tray and the 4amalgamating member being provided with amalgamati'ng plates removably'mounted upon their upper surfaces; and a distributing member having la central opening matching 4with theopening in the amalgamating member and provided with an r annular flange Seatingwithin a -g-roove formed in the top of vsaid;am'algamating member, said distributingmember being supported in spaced relation totheamalgac* mating member and `subs tanti-ally parallel thereto and having openings adaptedto'dis'- tribute slimes ycirculated upwardly'through y the casing uniformly over the surface jof'sald amai amatmg member.

965. n an v'amalgamator,y a tank having* a @isa mercury Well v:and arrangedV to receive -a charge .of slimes; to be treated; a cylindrical casingnopen "at .both ends v.supported `within the itankftheflower `endl of the lcasing being heldin spaced relation to the bottom ofthe tankiand the VInercury'well therein, and the upper yend ofthe casing being of reduced diameterand extending above the upper edge of theutank ;f apower driven shaft axially disposed 'withinthe' casing andcextending outwardly 'through-the top thereof; lan impeller mounted uponthe shaft in-spacedrelationzto the bottom'` of -the tank and casing and provided .with .pitched impeller blades adapted to circulate vslilnes .upwardly through 'the 'casing;-fvan amalgamating tray seated upon thetop-.oftheltankand having av central opening through which the Vcasing projects 'up- 'ward:ly,-said tray sloping from all sides' to the central i opening `to Vreturn slimes f'to' fthe casing, yand Abeing provided with f a 'plurality 'ofrsegmental amalgamating 4plates lining thefbottom thereof; and an `amalgamating Inember-. seatedupon the reduced `upper and of-,thenoasing and having a central opening-matchinggwiththe open top of said casing-said 4member i sloping outwardly toward the :euterledgeiofi the 'tray :and .provided with atp'lurali,ty offsegmental amalgamating plates surfecingithe upperfacefthereof.

.4.10. lnf'anramalgamator; 1a tankhaving a mercury well and arranged to receive -a Vcharge of slimes to be treated; a cylindrical casing open :at both a ends Vsupported -Within thetank, the. lower end of the casing being heldiinespaoedrelation /to the bottom of the tankfandthe mercury welltherein, and the upper end of the casing being *ofy reduced di-y ametervandextending above the upperV edge .of .the tank; :a powerA driven shaft V.axially disposedz-withinpthe casing and extending outwardly -throughlthe 2top thereof Aan impeller mounted upon 'the slraft'in: spaced "relationto the bottom: of l-thetanln andl casing and. provided ,with pitchedimpellerblades 4adapted to I'circulate slimes upwardly through the casilag,;said ,impeller being provided with pitchedlblades operating .to .v-li'ft globulesof mercury frOjm `the :Welland to hold said glcbulesysuspended in the upwardly circulatinggsllmes.; :an famalgamating tray sea-ted uponthetopy offtheitank -rand having a central .ripening-through rwhich the :casing prokjectsupwardly saidrtnay Vsloping from-all -sidesio-thecentral openingto return slimes to the'casing, :and being; providedwith a; plurallity ofseglnental am'xajlgamatin'gy plates lining-thebottomthereof pand VVan amalgamating member seated uponthe reduced upper end of the casing .and having i a central opening matching rwith the open Atop of said casing; said,- member Vslopingy outwardlyv toward the puteredgeoflthe tray .and provided w-itha plurality of segmentalamalgamating' plates surfacing the upper aceethereof ;landaidis .slimes lan'dnpaddlesf mountedl within the vcastributingjmember: seateduponuthel top :of `the amalgamating Armember and @adapted 'to distribute fslilnes circulated upwardly through the casing uniformlyiover'the :amalgamating member.

ill. In ansainalgainatoig'athe :combination with aitank. having ia mercury :well in the bott'oin thereof and. `arranged ito receiveua charge of sliinesftobeitreated,v of ai casing mounted within the tank and havingits lower end opening above' thewell and .1a power driven impeller mounted within fthe bottom ofi-the casingv andspaced :above 1the`well,1saidimpel ler being'provided with pit'chedb-ladesoperating to circulate `the lslimes upwardly through the s casing l' and kto lift :globules -of mercury from. the well'jbysuction and tohold said 'globules suspended; in the upwardly' circulating slimes. y

l2. @In an amalganrator, Ithecombination with' a tank 'having af mercury well in thebottom thereof and arranged'toreceive a'charge of slimes lto beftreate'd,-of af easing'mounted within the 'tank and fhaving fits lowerend opening above the well; apowerf-drivenimpeller mounted Within the `bottom ofvthecasing and spaced above/*thewell,1.saifd.impeller bei-ng providedwith` pitched' blades operating to 'circulatethe slimesupwardly threughfthe casing and to lift globules of mercuryfrom the wel'lby; suction an'd-ftohelr'd said globules Til) suspended fthe upwardly Vcirculating slimes andl means for adjusting 'the' impeller axially withinhthe casingzto lvary the lifting forcer of sai-'d impeller upon1mercury-within tlierwell. y

13. In an ramalgamator, the combination with a tank having almercurywell' inthe 'bottom thereof' anduarranged `to *receive av charge vof slimes tobetreated, of 'a casing mounted within the ftank vand Shaving its flower Aend openingabov-e-'the welll; 'a1-power driven 'impeller mounted :withinthe bottom ofthe casing land spacedl above fthe well, said impeller being provided'fwith .pitchedtbla'des operating to circulate the slimes upwardly through the casing :andto .flift globules of 1 mercury from theiwell by 'suctionfand vto hold said globules suspended in the lupwardly circulating ing 1 in i spaced i relation to the impelfler,and

actuated incommon with saidfimpeller to `interrupt'*the whirling-action f the slimes V-within the casing.

114.111y Sian lamal-gamaton the"conf1bination with' a tank `havinga mercurywell 'in the bottom" thereof and arran-'gedto receive a'charge of slimes .to be' treated,- of a'casing mounted withinithe tank Yand i having `its Vlower f end opening :abovej the ywell f apower `driven= im- .peller mounted "within the vbottoni Iof .the

casing and'- spaced above/the well,- said impel- -ler being provided :with jpitche'd bladesv operating Lto `jzcirculate' ifthe slimes upwardly .through V'nthe 'easing and "to 1 life 1 globules of 'I iso mercury from the well by suction and to hold said globules suspended in the upwardly circulating slimes; means'for adjusting the impeller axially within the casing to vary the I lifting force of said impeller upon mercury within the well; and paddles mounted within the casing in spaced relation to the impeller and actuated in common with said impeller to break up the whirling action of the slimes within the casing.

15. In an amalgamator, the combination with a tank having a mercury well in the bottom thereof and arranged to receive a charge of slimes to be treated, of a casing mounted within the tank and having its lower end op- Y ening above the well; a power driven impeller mounted within the bottom of the casing and spaced above the well, said impeller being provided with pitched blades operating 2o t0 circulate the slimes upwardly through the casing and to lift globules of mercury from the well by suction and to hold said globules suspended in the upwardly circulating slimes; means for adjustingv the impelleraxially within the casing to vary the lifting force of said impeller uponmercury within the well; paddles mounted within the casing, in spaced relation to the impeller and actuated in common with said impeller to break up the whirling action of the slimes within the casing; and means forvadjusting the paddles axially within the casing to vary the spacing of said paddles above the impeller.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my signature. v

LEONARD D. STEPHENSON. 

